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The Second Spanish Period (1784-1821)

The Flag of the Second Spanish Period

In return forSpain’s help during the American Revolution,Floridawas transferred back toSpain by the Treaties of Versailles, part of the Peace of Paris, in 1783. Just like when the whole Spanish population moved toCubawhen the British took control, this time most of the British departed for British colonies in theCaribbeanin spite of Governor Zespedes’ promise of equal treatment. The Menorcans, however, were very glad to have a Spanish, Catholic government return to power.

Governor ZespedesknewFloridaneeded more people, regardless of nationality, in order to survive. He offered large land grants, a ten year tax free occupancy, and a cash bonus to any family who would come to start a farm. He even offered to pay each pioneer 1.5 cents a day for feed supplies. Despite these generous offers, it was necessary by 1786 to drop the restrictions on non-Catholic settlers. Equally significant, the Spanish Government agreed to allow the migration of slave holders intoFloridafor the first time.

One of the slave holders who took advantage of the land grant offer was Zephaniah Kingsley, who along with his wife Anna Madgigine Jai, herself an ex-slave fromAfrica, owned and managed Kingsley Plantation onFortGeorgeIsland.

This influx of different people, including Americans, made the Second Spanish period much more cosmopolitan than the First Spanish Period had been. It also brought about the Patriot’s Rebellion (1811-1812) in which American “patriots” living in Spanish Florida, clandestinely supported by Georgians and unofficially recognized by theUSgovernment, attempted to rise up and seizeFloridafor theUnited States. With the promise of 200 acres ofFloridaland as an incentive, dozens ofGeorgiafarmers marched to attackSt. Augustine. They destroyed Spanish plantations and left only after a British fleet intervened. TheUSgovernment immediately declared no knowledge of the plan.

Still,Spain’s days inFloridawere numbered. By 1800Spain's fortune and power were waning. Her once mighty empire was crumbling. There was little money to maintain the Castillo and even less for the outpost fort atMatanzas. Erosion and rainwater took their toll.FortMatanzaswas already in poor condition by 1821 whenFloridawas ceded to theUnited Statesthrough the Adams-Onís Treaty which turnedFloridaover to theU.S.in exchange for canceling out a $5 million debt, reimbursement for runaway slaves who had found refuge inFlorida.